Anita Y. Kinney, PhD, RN is the Associate Director of Cancer Control and Population Sciences at the University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center. She is a Professor in the Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Preventive Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, holding the Carolyn R. Surface Endowed Chair in Cancer Population Sciences. Dr. Kinney earned her PhD in epidemiology from the University of Texas School of Public Health at Houston and completed a postdoctoral research fellowship at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Kinney’s overarching research goal is to understand variation in cancer risk and determinants of risk and outcomes, and to use this information to develop effective interventions that facilitate informed decision-making and healthy behaviors and preventive care delivery.

Research Interests

Kinney studies innovative methods of implementing evidence-based guidelines for cancer prevention and reducing health disparities. She also studies attitudes and preferences about genomic testing for cancer susceptibility, and ways to appropriately and effectively translate genomic discoveries to diverse populations and settings. Her work incorporates community participatory research strategies and includes healthy individuals and families, cancer survivors, underserved populations, mixed-methods, behavioral interventions and telehealth strategies. Her research findings have been incorporated into national health policy, including the US Preventive Services Task Force for BRCA1/2 genetic counseling and testing. Kinney’s recent cancer risk communication work is serving as a new model for genomic risk counseling and behavior change and is being translated to other contexts and settings.